Key Takeaways
- All of the apps preloaded on Pixel telephones are Google-made.
- Just a few examples embody Chrome, Google Drive, YouTube, and Google Calendar.
- You’ll be able to’t delete each app, however among the ones that may’t be deleted can nonetheless be disabled.
Bloatware stays an unstated drawback with fashionable smartphones, however solely as a result of it has been round ceaselessly, and each carriers and telephone makers appear reluctant to put off it. In some instances, they’ve paid partnerships to keep up, and if not, they could nonetheless need you to be hooked on as many first-party providers as doable. An $800 telephone is nothing in comparison with the worth of getting you locked into a complete ecosystem.
Some folks completely detest bloatware, so it is value investigating what any new telephone you are shopping for is likely to be saddled with. In the case of Google’s Pixel telephones, just like the Pixel 9 lineup, the information might be good — however that is dependent upon your expectations.
Associated
The age of the annual smartphone upgrade is over… for now
It would flare again to life for a couple of years, however I would not rely on it.
What’s bloatware?
First, here is the definition
By bloatware, folks often imply apps that come pre-installed on a tool however do not serve important features. Cellphone, e-mail, net shopping, and textual content messaging apps are routinely excluded from bloatware, since you would be deservedly upset for those who needed to go obtain them your self. Likewise, it would be unusual if there was no preloaded navigation app — that is how many people get to the shops the place we’ll really purchase their gadgets.
What we do not want are subscription or ad-supported music and video providers, for instance, particularly if they don’t seem to be from the corporate that designed the telephone or working system. Another examples of bloatware would possibly embody exercise apps or procuring apps. Everybody wants to have the ability to obtain new software program — few folks need to purchase issues by way of their provider.
There’s some subjectivity concerned, as you may think. You do not want YouTube, Fb, or TikTok in your telephone, however these are such ubiquitous elements of on-line life that you simply would possibly recognize them being pre-installed.

Associated
The 7 must-have tech tools for travel I always keep in my bag
In case your philosophy is to journey gentle, these are the seven tech instruments that ought to at all times be in your bag.
Which apps come pre-installed on a Google Pixel telephone?
The same old suspects
As a rule, you’ll be able to count on all of Google’s core apps, but in addition a couple of that do not at all times present up on different gadgets. I will flag a few of these as we come throughout them, in addition to primary descriptions in case you are new to Android or smartphones generally.
- Cellphone: The dialer.
- Google Messages: Used for SMS, MMS, and RCS texting.
- Digital camera: For taking pictures images and video.
- Calculator: For these of us who aren’t gifted at math.
- Recordsdata: The way you handle locally-stored recordsdata that are not images.
- Settings: The nerve middle for controlling Android.
- Google Pictures: Regardless of its title, this manages each photograph and video libraries. Media is synced to the cloud, so make sure to keep inside the storage limits of your Google One subscription. If you do not have Google One, you will get 15GB unfold throughout each Google service.
- Gmail: You are often anticipated to make use of this with Google’s namesake e-mail platform, however what chances are you’ll not know is that you could connect some third-party email services resembling Yahoo, AOL, Outlook, and Hotmail.
- Chrome: Google’s net browser. Once you’re signed in to your Google Account, gadgets like bookmarks, passwords, and cost playing cards will usually sync with Chrome on different gadgets, so long as you are signed in there as effectively.
- Google Drive: Google’s cloud file locker. This is among the first issues which may rely as bloat — you are free to make use of different cloud storage choices or none in any respect.
- Google Maps: The default for navigating by automobile, foot, bicycle, and different means. You can too use it to seek for companies and their related data, resembling working hours.
- Google Pockets: You should use Wallet for on-line and retail purchases for those who’ve linked a cost technique resembling a bank card. You can too add gadgets like loyalty playing cards, boarding passes, and occasion tickets, so long as the surface social gathering affords Pockets help.
- Clock: Largely for setting alarms, timers, and stopwatches, however you too can set a sleep schedule, placed on ambient sleep noise, and verify timezones world wide.
- Gemini/Assistant: Google’s AI voice assistants. Assistant is the corporate’s “legacy” voice choice, rapidly being changed in lots of areas by Gemini, which is predicated on generative AI. Some issues do not but work in Gemini although, particularly for those who’re controlling a Google Residence machine like a Nest Hub.
- Google Calendar: Fairly self-explanatory, however you too can create duties, manage conferences, and import reservations from sources like Gmail.
- Contacts: Your private Rolodex. Make sure to maintain this edited and up-to-date to keep away from chaos with apps and voice instructions.
- Recorder: Use this to document voice memos and different content material, full with transcriptions.
- YouTube: Google’s free video add/streaming service is likely to be thought of bloat by some folks, as I discussed earlier.
- YouTube Music: In case you simply need to hearken to music on YouTube, this allows you to try this, however you will must pay for a YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium plan to unlock all options.

Associated
Does smart tech really add that much to your fitness regimen?
The complete reply varies from individual to individual, however here is my gym-buff take.
Are you able to eliminate undesirable Pixel apps?
It is somewhat sophisticated
Probably, however some apps — resembling Cellphone and Settings — are so very important that they can not be touched. You’d paralyze Android for those who deleted Settings. With apps that are not mission-critical, you will must experiment, trying to delete them one-by-one. Apps that may be eliminated can at all times be re-downloaded later from the Google Play Retailer.
If an app cannot be deleted, resembling Calculator, it is generally doable to disable it for those who actually cannot stand the sight of it in your homescreen. Observe these steps to strive:
- Lengthy press on the app’s icon.
- Choose App data within the pop-up menu.
- Faucet Disable if the choice is offered.
- Within the subsequent pop-up, faucet Disable app to substantiate.

Associated
I miss when Apple only launched products when they were 100% done
It is not nearly practicality and getting options out — it is about pleasure.
Trending Merchandise

TP-Link Smart WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX10) â 8...

Thermaltake V250 Motherboard Sync ARGB ATX Mid-Tow...

Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo, MARVO 2.4G Ergo...
